The Factory Sightseeing Tour – Food Cartridge Chapter

"Here huh..."

"Uwaah..."

My and Elma's faces are probably making the same apprehensive

expression right now. Cause, y'see, this Micah Corporation's hydroponic

farming facility is actually the spitting image of Sierra Corporation's

cultured meat processing facility... The two of them both dealt with food

products, so the designs of their facilities are identical. Is that it? Cause

apart from the differences in signage, the facilities are practically twins.

"A-Anyway, let's enter first."

"Yeah..."

"Okay..."

The three of us resigned ourselves in our hearts and entered beyond the

facility's front gate.

"Oh, so the interior is actually quite different."

"You're right."

We still weren't able to spot any other people apart from ourselves just like

when we arrived at the meat plant, but unlike there, this hydroponic farm

seemed far more brightly lit. Why the difference in illumination? The

interior of this facility is evidently brighter and just looked more proper.

"Welcome, everyone. You're the tour group led by Hiro-sama, are you

not?"

"Yes."

The staff who welcomed us was a young lady who was a shining example

of a normal company receptionist. She looked prim and proper in her

uniform which resembled something worn by a stewardess. She was

leagues better than the shady-looking male receptionist in that meat

processing plant.

"I have been assigned as your guide for today's tour. It has been a long time

since we've had people visit us. The staff are really looking forward to–

Um, what is it, dear guests?"

My face slightly cramped from the feeling of de ja vu. Mimi and Elma were

probably feeling the same as me. The receptionist lady tilted her head in

puzzlement at our reactions.

"Oh, uh, well, we just came from a tour of Sierra Corporation's cultured

meat processing facilities y'see. So, uh..."

"Ah... That incomprehensible tour overflowing with weirdness, that

really seems like someone's bad joke gone terribly wrong... No, although

it's bad manners to talk about others behind their backs, that kind of tour

was a little bit too much, wasn't it? We hired the same contractor to

construct both our facilities, so that's the reason why our buildings are so

alike."

The receptionist lady explained as she gave us a wry grin. It looks like she

was quite familiar with that other company's tour details.

"Please do not worry. I can guarantee that our company's tour is a proper

one. At the very least, it won't cause our guest's faces to turn all blue."

The receptionist lady then gave us a sunny smile. Her smile managed to

dispel the cloud of anxiety that had built up deep in our chests somewhat.

"We're really counting on you..."

"Yes, please be at ease. You all will need to be sterilized before we start our

tour. Please enter that door over there."

The room the receptionist lady guided us to was something similar to the

sterilization room found inside Sierra Corporation's facility. Will white

smoke go *pushuu inside here as well? Is that smoke even safe? I hope it

doesn't have any negative effects on the body or something. Well, the

technology here is really advanced, so I guess there's no need to worry… I

hope?

We followed the instructions and walked out of the room after sterilization.

What was waiting inside was not a freaky gondola, but a corridor with

transparent glass walls serving as a barrier. It looks like we need to walk

with our own feet to see the various sights during this tour.

"Uwah, it's so bright."

"Yeah, it is. It's really similar to real daylight."

"There's an explanation here. Hm. It seems it's a specialized light source

which emits a wavelength that is more suitable for growing crops."

"...So it's like a sunlamp."

I remember a certain game having a similar facility which allowed you to

grow and harvest crops regardless of the season. I guess it uses up quite a

bit of power, but with the technology in this world, I think they already

have a variety of energy sources available. Even my Krishna boasts a power

generator with ridiculous output that makes use of unknown tech.

"I wonder what kind of crops are those?"

"Hm? Yeah, I'm curious as well. They look like watercress."

Watercress is often used as a garnish or side dish to things like steak after

all. It seems they were raising crops that look really similar to watercress

here.

"It says here that it's a vegetable that's high in nutrients. It has a bit of a

sharp taste when eaten fresh. It's one of the raw ingredients used in the

contents of food cartridges, it seems."

Elma read and relayed to us the contents of the explanation written on the

glass partition. Fumu, I see. I heard that stuff like algae and krill-creatures

were the main ingredients used in food cartridges, but I guess they use these

vegetables as well.

The plants resembling watercress were taken care of by various robots;

drones that flew around the vast cultivation area and robotic arms moving

on rails stretched out all over the farm. It was almost completely automated.

While observing such a sight, we arrived at an area where a great number of

circular pools were installed.

"Green-colored pools... Algae?"

"It seems so. It's an area specialized for growing the algae type used as one

of the main ingredients in food cartridges."

This area was also automated. Robot arms were harvesting the algae with

nets. There were also ones that sprayed brown-colored powder on top of

some of the pools.

"What is that brown powder? Fertilizer?"

"Let's see... Ugeh."

"What's wrong?"

"That's made from domestic waste collected from starships, it seems."

"Domestic waste..."

"Oh..."

In other words, it's those things that are solidified and turned into blocks.

They not only consist of human waste but also garbage and wastewater

from the bathrooms of the ships. Our ship also produces them, of course.

And a waste collection company commissioned by the port administration

office would regularly come to collect them.

"Well, it's a classic case of recycling. Those came from people like us in the

first place anyway."

"Well, you're right. But…"

"It feels a bit weird though."

"Well, back on Earth, where I'm from, it was normal to use things like

droppings for fertilizer. I think the use of human droppings has decreased

compared to back in the past, but they would still make use of animal dung

or the remains of seeds squeezed out of their oil. Things like that are quite

common. They did use human excrement liberally in the far past though."

In fact, the practice might still be going strong, but I haven't seen an actual

fertilizer pool anyway, so I really wouldn't know. I'm not too familiar with

agricultural stuff. The most I know are basic things.

"Fumu. As expected of someone who grew up on a backwater planet."

"Don't call it something like a backwater planet. It sounds weird. But it's

true that I think this world's technology is extraordinarily advanced

compared to where I'm from."

As we discussed along the way, we managed to reach another pool area.

"It looks like this is the krill culturing area."

"So it's like a zooplankton culturing area. It seems domestic waste is being

used as feed here."

"Speaking of which, I think I heard something like that as well back in the

cultured meat factory."

"Well, we didn't have the leeway to listen to the explanations given back

there anyway..."

An image of a flesh-colored pool flashed in my head. It was followed by the

image of factory workers with gleaming eyes, cutting out the meat of a

tentacle monster the size of a train... Yeah, it was a sight that would

gradually grind your SAN points to dust. Maybe the reason we didn't

manage to remember most of the explanation was because our SAN points

went critical.

We then came to an area that completely looked like an industrial factory

next.

"Oh, this is where they put together the food cartridges."

"It looks pretty rough."

"They are putting all the raw materials together and throwing them all into

the processing machine."

The raw materials are sent via a conveyor belt to a processing machine and

come out on the other side as a kind of paste.

"It's 'that stuff', isn't it?"

"Yes, it is."

"What the heck is 'that stuff' you two are going on about?"

"The local specialty of Alein Tertius colony..."

"Ah..."

Elma displayed a look of pity after seeing our expressions. Fufu. I will

never forget that appearance. Mimi gazed at the light-green paste with her

empty-looking eyes. My eyes were probably looking the same – an

expression devoid of emotion. Hahaha…

"That paste is further processed and stuffed into food cartridges, it seems."

"Looks like it. And the auto-cooker processes it further and finally ends up

on everyone's stomachs."

"It looks like the high-end cartridges aren't made in this area."

Just like Mimi said, the only things made here are ordinary food cartridges,

it seems. High-end cartridges are five times more expensive compared to

ordinary ones. The taste, while not five times more delicious, is easily twice

as good as normal food cartridges.

"I kind of want to take a look at how they are making high-end cartridges. I

guess there are more raw materials used on them, right?"

"I don't think it'll differ that much though."

When we moved on, we found ourselves at a place that looked like a dining

hall.

[[You can enjoy freshly prepared food from our quality food cartridges

here! Automatic cookers from different makers affiliated with our company

are waiting to serve you! Please enjoy them to the fullest! We also accept

purchase consultations!]]

A signboard with these words written on it greeted us. It seems there really

were auto-cookers from different manufacturers lined up inside. But there

were none from the Tetsujin series though.

"I see. This part of the tour was well thought out."

"They don't have many visitors, it seems. Can they still make any profit?"

"Those who apply for this kind of tour are mostly rich folk, right? Autocookers are quite expensive. If they can manage to sell a few units every

time, the commissions would be quite hefty.

"I see."

I nodded and pressed the button on the wall which says [Press Here for

Food Cartridges]. A live image of food cartridges being transported from

the production line was displayed on the Holo Display together with

realistic BGM. And presto! The cartridges came out from the wall along

with flashy sound effects. It was quite interesting.

Mimi and Elma also tried it out. It seems there were several different

combinations of BGM and live-video feeds being used. What they got to

see were different than mine.

"This is fun."

"It sure looks like something that would be really popular with kids."

We walked towards the auto-cookers while giving out each of our

impressions.

"Which auto-cooker brand should we choose?"

"Are their performances really that different from each other?"

"Why don't we order the same menu from all of the brands and compare

them?"

"That's a great idea! Let's do it."

Thus, the three of us ordered omelet rice from a different brand. When they

were done, we shared the food with each other and started comparing.

"Nm... It does taste different, right?"

"Yes. The flavoring and textures are quite different from each other."

"Let's choose our favorite then… I personally prefer the one made by

Kirsch Company."

"I prefer the one by Murakumo Company."

"I also like the one from Kirsch Company as well."

By the way, the one produced by Shiimazu Company wasn't that bad either.

It was delicious enough.

"So the taste of the food really differs per brand huh. Each manufacturer has

their own specialties, I guess."

"That's probably true."

"It's impossible to try everything."

There may be brands that make more delicious curry rice, and there may be

some which specialize in Japanese cuisine. Everything our Tetsujin makes

is top class though. It isn't a premium brand for nothing.

By the way, I tried ordering dessert pudding from the cooker made by

Shiimazu Company, and it was excellent. As I thought, each maker had

their own respective specialties.

"I guess rich people can buy multiple brands in order to enjoy each maker's

respective specialties, huh?"

"If one has a large enough space to install multiple cookers and the money

to buy them, it would be a symbol of luxury."

"But I think to buy a high-end machine like Tetsujin, that is able to prepare

a wide variety of delicious dishes, is more economical and efficient."

"Yeah, that's right."

In order to install multiple auto-cookers, you'll need a very large space. In

starships, living space is quite a valuable commodity. If one wants to get a

large living space, one has to pay appropriate costs. In that case, installing a

single high-end product like Mimi suggested is certainly more efficient and

economical.

We drank some tea to wash down the food we ate and left the hydroponic

farm afterward.

"Alcohol♪ Alcohol♪"

Elma was skipping excitedly along the way due to our next destination. Our

next stop is a liquor manufacturing plant after all. Elma's tension was

increasing at a constant pace, with no signs of slowing down.

"I hope the next one is decent as well."

"Yes. But I think it will probably be alright though."

I and Mimi smile at each other as we watched Elma happily skipping about.